Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. (Proverbs 10:3). It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. Other than the president and family, only a handful of people have been invited to make the White House their homeand then only for a few years. It isnt his destination or dwelling place. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. Founded in 1969, Grace to You is the nonprofit organization responsible for developing, producing, and distributing Johns books, audio resources, and the Grace to You radio and television programs. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. What great confidence! It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. What is characteristic of them? The Whole Bible [12] Must admit that I have been dealing with a few trials lately and when I read this verse it kind of caught me by surprise! The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Masters University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. If you are truly one of His sheep (evidenced by hearing his voice and following His ways) then this verse is your verse as well! The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. For them, it truly was the valley of the shadow of death. Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the author's heart and trust in God. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Wisdom Literature Pentateuch And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. He is a popular conference speaker and the president of both The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Major Prophets Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). Historical Books And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. Pastor John MacArthur. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. Psalms 23. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. Scripture: Psalm 23. Historical Books But if it is an honor to be invited to the Presidents home, it is an infinitely greater honor to be invited to the Lords house. So many people place their trust and hope is all sorts of things. Pauline Epistles Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. Daily devotional with John Piper. [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. Some of the most obvious are: 1) the wisdom type with instructions for right living; 2) lamentation patterns which deal with the pangs of life (usually arising from enemies without); 3) penitential psalms (mostly dealing with the "enemy" within, i.e., sin); 4) kingship emphases (universal or mediatorial; theocratic and/or messianic rule); and 5) We must surrender our desires and follow where He leads no matter the cost. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. [10] We have another source of confidence in our shepherd Jesus that even David didn't have when he wrote this psalm 3000 years ago. [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! Your partnership makes all we do possible. My cup runs over (Hebrew: rewayah) (v. 5c). We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. (Clarke). Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. Believe with the same confidence David had. He is utterly trustworthy. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! His past death for His people Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . 3 He restores my soul. David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). In New Zealand (where I live) all of our farms and fields seem to be 'green pastures' and the sheep tend to munch all day! [4] I read in a John Hunter book that as well as being able to say 'The Lord is my shepherd' we should be able to say 'The shepherd is my Lord.' Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. While I am here I will be a child at home with my God; the whole world shall be his house to me; and when I ascend into the upper chamber I shall not change my company, nor even change the house; I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord for ever. (Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mothers bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him Thy rod and thy staff, by which you govern and rule your flock, the ensigns of your sovereignty and of your gracious carethey comfort me. The New Testament Luke-Acts God (through the prophet Jeremiah) said, For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). A city on a hill cannot be hidden. That was all it said. The green pastures and waters spoken of in this verse were often some distance apart and the shepherd would have to lead his flock to these places. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. a. i. Forever. Jesus honored his disciples by inviting them to a table where he served them bread, saying, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16). iii. The idea is of a sturdy walking stick, used to gently (as much as possible) guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. If things are tough, remember this verse. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. All the days of my life; Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. Its evident in this verse how David recognizes Gods lordship over his life. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. Entdecke The Macarthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur (2005, Hardcover) in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. Our children were still quite young. No matter his present environment, David could look to the fact of Gods shepherd-like presence and know, You are with me and I will fear no evil.. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. General Epistles Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). Kidner notes: The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherds weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. They probably are anxious about different things. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. 3,580+ | 2 min. And, then, it is not the valley of death, but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. Minor Prophets It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! However, the oil does not just protect the sheep from nuisance. Minor Prophets Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. In extreme cases where a lamb continually wandered off and wouldn't stick with the pack (causing the Shepherd to repeatedly have to go and bring the lamb back) the Shepherd would sometimes break the lamb's leg! Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. Then from the pulpit you would hear the same person say that if you didn't do this, this, and this you could lose your salvation or the Holy Spirit would leave you etc. Poetical Books In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). In these verses, the metaphor changes from God as shepherd to God as host at a special banquet. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. But, what makes it so compelling? To be invited to the Kings table was a great honor. . the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). Well, having said that I should say that you will be free from fear to the degree that you know He is with you - rain, hail and shine. But do we believe it? Like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, David might say that all of life is lived under the shadow of death, and it is the conscious presence of the LORD as shepherd that makes it bearable. and flame will not scorch you. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - Henry Ward Beecher, [2] J Vernon McGee writes 'to put it succinctly, in Psalm 22 we see the cross, in Psalm 23 the crook (the Shepherd's crook), and in Psalm 24 the crown (the King's crown). Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. Behold just such a one! (Philip Keller). Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. There is some debate among commentators as to whether David had the idea of two separate instruments (the rod and the staff) or one instrument used two ways. Is - Can you say that? But Jesus is the good Shepherd. In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning.